Given that December has been the unkindest month to the Broncos in their annual visit to Arrowhead Stadium, perhaps a 3-5 team looking for its first two-game winning steak in almost two years can take a little solace in a November visit this time around.

The Broncos are 2-13 in their December visits to Arrowhead, but 5-2 in November trips. But to improve on those November numbers the Broncos will have to:

Be flexible. The read option put quarterback Tim Tebow in his comfort zone last Sunday. The Broncos used it for 17 snaps in the game, and it was an effective part of a good road win.

But the Raiders, despite saying they practiced for it, played it just about as undisciplined as a defense can play it, since they neither covered the runner nor the quarterback on the play when the Broncos used it.

The Chiefs have practiced for it, seen it on video and figure to play it with a little more fervor if the Broncos show it again.

The Broncos have to be prepared — and they say they are — to adjust if they can’t find room to work in the option look. It can’t be the staple, especially if defenses are prepared to punish Tebow every time and the Broncos don’t have a wrinkle like a reverse or some kind of pass out of it.

Find the rusher. It is another foray into a 3-4 defense for Tebow, and at times in his young career he has struggled to identify the different looks within the scheme.

He was 16-of-36 passing against the Chargers’ 3-4 in last year’s season finale, was 4-of-10 in his half of work against the Chargers this year and was 13-of-27 against the Dolphins’ 3-4 in his first start this season after a 3-of-8 start in the game.

Many coaches, Mike Shanahan included, believe a two-tight end look helps balance out the formation against a 3-4 and makes it slightly easier for the quarterback to see where the pressure is coming from, but the Broncos have preferred to play a more wide-open set with Tebow to this point.

They have used a three-wide receiver, two-tight end look — with no running back — on a select few snaps in Tebow’s three starts.

Nickel for their thoughts. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard was still limping as he tried to practice Friday, so he will need to improve significantly if he’s going to play against the Chiefs.

Woodyard is a big part of the Broncos’ nickel defense — he leads the team in tackles overall and is third on special teams in tackles — and the Broncos would have to adjust if he can’t play.

If they use a safety, like David Bruton, in Woodyard’s spot, the Chiefs may be more apt to run against a lighter look too with a running back like the 238-pound Jackie Battle.

If the Broncos use Champ Bailey on Dwayne Bowe exclusively as they did last December, then they are somewhat vulnerable in the slot where Bailey has played in the Broncos’ nickel when he isn’t shadowing a receiver.

The Chiefs have an experienced receiver in the slot in Steve Breaston, who is coming off a 100-yard game in Kansas City’s loss to the Dolphins last Sunday. It will be a matchup that bears watching for the Broncos.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tyreek Hill had touchdowns receiving and on a punt return, Kansas City’s defense made life miserable for Oakland quarterback Derek Carr, and the Chiefs beat the Raiders 21-13 on a frigid Thursday night to take control of the AFC West. Charcandrick West also had a touchdown run for the Chiefs (10-3). They moved into a first-place...